Lok Sabha Election 2024, Phase 1: Voting on 102 seats underway
In the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024, as many as 102 constituencies spanning across 21 states and Union Territories will elect their new MPs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Friday announced their intention for the soonest possible conclusion of the ambitious Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which will build on the landmark trade agreement signed last year.
The CECA will be a transformational deal that will create new jobs and opportunities in both countries.
In recognition of a unique part of the economic relationship, the two leaders also discussed the potential presented by the India-Australia Audiovisual Co-Production Agreement. The agreement will support skilled jobs, creative exchange, and the development of culturally significant screen projects in both countries.
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They discussed their shared ambition on climate change and the opportunities presented by the global energy transition, agreeing to build on existing cooperation on solar and hydrogen towards a Renewable Energy Partnership. They welcomed the establishment of a task force to advise the Australian and Indian governments on opportunities to accelerate the rollout of solar PV and clean supply chains, led by Australian solar expert, Professor Renate Egan and eminent Indian scientist Professor Anil Kottantharayil.
The Australian PM further said he was hopeful that CECA would be finalised this year. He said that high-level contact between the two countries has further strengthened cooperation across many sectors.
Last year, the two countries signed a free trade agreement called the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.
The bilateral trade between the two countries amounts to nearly 27 billion dollars in 2021-22. The bilateral trade is expected to cross 45 to 50 billion dollars by 2035.
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